ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. (Facebook, MANILA BULLETIN)

ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo is prodding the Marcos administration to accept the offer of the United States (US) government to escort future resupply missions of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to BRP Sierra Madre in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). 

Tulfo, the deputy majority leader for communications, made this appeal in a privilege speech Monday, Sept. 9. 

“[The] decision today could very well shape the future of our national security and our position in the international arena,” he said. 

Earlier, Admiral Samuel Paparo Jr. chief of the US Indo-Pacific Command said that American ships could escort Filipino vessels on resupply missions in the WPS. Paparo’s statement was supported by Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, the press secretary of Pentagon. 

The offer was made amid increasingly aggressive tactics by the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) against Philippine boats and vessels in the WPS. 

“In light of these recent developments, I call on this esteemed body to consider a resolution of support for the US offer to escort our resupply missions," Tulfo said. 

"This proposal is not merely a matter of convenience; it is a significant step in asserting our rights under international law and challenging the persistent encroachments by the PRC (People’s Republic of China),” said the popular journalist-turned-lawmaker. 

Tulfo said allowing US ships to escort Filipino vessels will “demonstrate that our alliances are not just words written on paper but are indeed actionable commitments to defend our sovereignty and uphold international law". 

Doing so “sends a strong message to the international community that the Philippines is resolute in defending its sovereign rights in the WPS," he added. 

It should be noted that the Philippines and US are long-time mutual defense treaty (MDT) allies. 

“We are not alone in this fight; the support from our allies demonstrates a unified stance against any form of aggression that seeks to disrupt peace and stability in the region,” he said. 

“By accepting the US offer for escort, we ensure that any aggressive actions by China are met with a coordinated response. This not only safeguards our supply missions but also serves as a deterrent against further provocations in our maritime domain,” Tulfo added. 

“Let us collectively endorse the us offer to escort our resupply missions in the WPS. Let us make it clear: the Philippines will not be intimidated. We will not bow to any form of coercion. We stand firm, ready to defend our territorial integrity and uphold our rightful claims in the West Philippine Sea,” he further said.